Chapel Attendance Policy

Requirements
Because Chapel and Convocation programs are viewed as an integral component of a Gordon education, regular attendance is required for graduation, much like other non credit-bearing elements of the Gordon experience such as La Vida, Discovery and physical education courses.

All full-time resident students must attend 30 sessions each semester. Commuters need to attend 20 sessions each semester, and seniors in their fourth year only need to attend 15 sessions during their last semester before graduating. Fifth-year seniors who have completed their requirement during every semester they have attended classes on the Fowler campus do not have an attendance requirement after their fourth year.

Records and Accountability
Records of attendance are kept in the Center for Student Development (CSD). When it becomes evident that a student is not making satisfactory progress toward fulfilling the requirement, a meeting with a resident director or other CSD staff member will be arranged. The purpose of this meeting is to explore the reasons associated with the absences and to encourage attendance. Students who do not attend 30 sessions or services will receive a disciplinary response. Flagrant, ongoing disregard for the attendance policy may result in suspension from the College. Graduating seniors must fulfill their attendance requirement in order to be cleared by the registrar to receive their diploma and final transcripts. Any attempt to falsely represent one's record will result in disciplinary action.

Special Cases
Married students and parents of young children may apply to have their attendance requirement reduced to 15 credits per semester if they return a petition to the CSD office by the second week of each semester. Participants in off-campus academic internships and/or student teaching which directly conflict with morning chapel and convocation times must notify CSD. An "Academic Internship/Student Teaching form" may be obtained from CSD. This form must be completed by the student, the faculty advisor, and internship supervisor and returned to CSD by the second week of the semester. Students who miss a week or more of classes due to a serious illness may file for two credits per each week of missed classes by having a medical notification sent to CSD.